Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause a range of symptoms that vary depending on the stage of the infection. The signs of syphilis can be so mild that they can be hard to notice, and sometimes people confuse syphilis symptoms with other things, like pimples or rashes. Here are the signs and symptoms of syphilis according to the different stages of the infection:

Primary Stage

• A small, painless sore called a chancre appears at the spot where the bacteria entered your body. While most people infected with syphilis develop only one chancre, some people develop several of them.

Secondary Stage

• A rough, bumpy syphilis rash appears, which can cover your entire body, including your palms and soles (bottoms) of your feet. The rash doesn’t usually itch.
• You may also have symptoms such as fever, fatigue, wart-like sores, muscle aches, weight loss, headaches, hair loss, and swollen lymph nodes.

Latent Stage

• The symptoms from the primary and secondary stages will go away whether you receive treatment or not. Without the right treatment, your infection will move to the latent and possibly tertiary stages of syphilis.
• During the latent stage, there are no visible signs or symptoms of syphilis, but the infection is still present in your body.

Tertiary Stage

• If left untreated, syphilis can progress to the tertiary stage, which can cause serious health problems such as blindness, deafness, mental illness, and even death.
• Symptoms of tertiary syphilis can include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, changes in mental state, and dementia.

Its important to note that syphilis can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby, which can cause serious health problems for the baby. If you suspect you have syphilis or have been exposed to it, its important to get tested and treated as soon as possible.